Obsession (24 page)

Except J.J. Alpha instinct. Pack master.

Raphael flushed out those scents, lifted his leg and covered the alpha’s scent markers with his own, growling as he did so, knowing he had a female to protect who slumbered inside his house.

Then he shifted back, went inside the house and made sure the security system was on.

Upstairs, he snagged a fleece bathrobe and went into his gleaming office, turning on a desk lamp. Raphael powered up his computer. He typed and clicked, and accessed the ancient texts of Lupine, reading through them. When he finished, he shut off the computer and leaned back against the chair, deeply troubled.

Life was about to turn very interesting for Jessica.

Padding naked back to the bedroom, he realized she’d awakened. Unsurprised, he snapped on the bedside lamp joined her on the bed. He took a strand of her silky red hair and rubbed it between thumb and forefinger. “I know what you are. You’re a pureblood.”

Jessica sat up, tugging the sheets to her breasts, and he released the strand of her hair. “I can’t be…”

“The descendent of a powerful female born more than 1,000 years ago. Andromeda.” He hesitated. “It’s not a nice story.”

Jessica sat up. “But it’s mine. My history. Please, tell me.”

He began to tell it. “Upon the moment of Andromeda’s birth, the goddess Danu endowed her with special powers. The Lupine race was dying, weakened by inbreeding. Our race needed a strong leader to break apart packs to endow the people with stronger magick. Danu gave her power to rule over all Lupines. Andromeda was forbidden to procreate, for her offspring would also be more powerful than the average Lupine. But Andromeda longed to have a family. She selected a mate and bore him two sons and a daughter.”

Raphael studied her, his chest tightening, knowing she would not like what he had to tell her. If he could, he’d shield her from harm, but she must know the truth. She deserved nothing less, and had searched for her identity all her life.

“What happened to her?”

His heart twisted as he studied her woebegone expression. “Too much magick made her thirsty for more. Andromeda had an affair with Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, and he created 10 crystals to honor her, crystals that enhanced her magick even more. She adorned her girdle with them and crystals drove her mad with power. She challenged the goddess herself. Danu ordered Andromeda’s pack to tear her to pieces to end her reign.”

Jessica’s mouth wobbled. “What a horrid ending. And you think I’m related to this female megalomaniac?”

“I can’t access your family’s private files on the Lupine network. I believe this is why they are protected with a failsafe. But I read enough about the DNA traits you have to be certain of your origins, Jessica. The red hair. The gray eyes. And this…”

With a gentle finger, he traced the star-shaped birthmark on her neck. “All female descendants of the Andromeda have them. It’s the mark of the goddess.”

She touched the mark, seeming to disbelieve the news. “Couldn’t it be just a birthmark?”

“I doubt it. A female descendent of Andromeda is more powerful than the average Lupine, more powerful than Andromeda’s male descendants. And that puts her directly in danger, which is why I believe your records were sealed, along with the records of your family. Your family were all descendants of Andromeda as well.”

Her mouth opened and closed. Jessica blinked. “What are you saying, Raphael?”

His heart twisted as he gazed at her. “Your family, Jess. I doubt they died from natural causes. They were murdered by someone who wanted to eliminate them. And the same someone will want to kill you, as well, once you are found.”

Chapter 16

She spent a restless night, tossing and turning in Raphael’s bed. He’d insisted on keeping her in his house.

“I’m not going to let anything touch you. I won’t lose you like I lost her,” he promised fiercely, before making love to her again.

Descendent of a powerful female Lupine? One who had been torn apart by her own pack?

Jessica had always thought she’d be overjoyed when she discovered her origins. Instead, a haunting sadness plagued her.

And fear.

Why couldn’t my family have been ordinary? Maybe farmers or ranchers or even garbage haulers? No, instead I have the blood of a power-hungry bitch who made her entire pack hate her for being overbearing.

For the first time in her life, she wondered if friends were better than family, and an adopted family was better than her real family.

If Raphael was right, someone determined to eradicate any of Andromeda’s descendants had killed her family, and would destroy her as well, as soon as her true identity was discovered.

No wonder her father’s image in the Lupine registry had barked a warning…

The next morning, she woke up alone. Raphael had left a note, telling her he’d gone out for a little while. He’d armed the security system and warned her to remain in the house.

Jessica rolled over and hugged his pillow, inhaling his delicious, citrusy scent.

After she’d showered, dressed and sipped coffee. If Raphael was correct, Jules was also a descendent of Andromeda. And he was equally in danger.

She had to find him.
Maybe that’s why he’s hiding.

Raphael wouldn’t like it. He had a strong protective streak. But she could handle herself.

I’m not fragile. I can do this on my own. I must.

Jessica went upstairs to his office and found the book he’d been reading last night. She scanned the pages, and heard the downstairs door open and close.

He was back.

Maybe it was best to share the secret of the belt with him. He’d been so tender and loving, and obviously worried about her welfare. She hurried down the stairs and ground to an abrupt halt.

Raphael stood at the sofa where she’d dumped her overnight bag. He clutched the purple belt. Veins bulged in his throat and his entire body shook.

“Where did you get this?”

Jessica stepped backward. “That’s mine. You have no right to rummage through my personal things.”

“I opened your bag to stick this inside as a surprise.” He nodded at a sleek black laptop on the sofa. “I ordered it as a gift for you. And I saw the belt. Where did you get it?”

“It was a gift.”

His mouth flattened. “From whom? Where did you get this?”

A little afraid, she stepped back. Raphael narrowed his gaze. “Tell me.”

“Stop acting all macho wolf. Tell me why you’re so upset and maybe I’ll let you know where I got it.”

He seemed to struggle with his temper. Raphael drew in a deep breath, and when he finally lifted his face, he looked stricken. All the defiance drained out of her. Jessica waited, dread filling her.

For she knew he must have a good reason.

Finally he spoke in a quiet voice. “The person who wore that belt was the same Lupine who tortured me.”

Nausea rose in her stomach and she clenched her hands so tightly, her nails dug into her palms. Jessica unfurled her fingers and saw her claws had started to unsheathe.

“Jules,” she whispered. “It belonged to him. He’s my brother.”

Raphael closed his eyes and his entire body shook. “Your brother.”

“He contacted me, and sent me the belt to help me find him. But it can’t be him! My brother wouldn’t torture you. What reason would he have? It must have been a mistake. Someone else had the belt before he did.”

The belt fell from his opened hands to the floor. “Jules. Julius Caesar. He’s the same Lupine who tortured me. The belt is the same.”

Then he picked up the belt with one hand, and her overnight bag with the other. Raphael gestured to the door. “Outside. Now.”

When she walked outside, he opened the truck door. “Get in.”

Resentment and fear twisted through her. Jessica sat in mute defiance as he drove to the main house. It was as if the sweetness and shared passion between them had instantly vanished. They were strangers again. Only this hurt more, because she’d seen deep inside him.

Inside the main house, he carried the belt and, putting a hand on the small of her back, ushered her into the living room. Curled up on the sofa before a roaring fire in the stone hearth, J.J. sat, his arm around Alexa. They looked up, startled, as Raphael threw the belt down upon the carpet before them.

“This is evil.”

Raphael’s pronouncement sent a chill racing down her spine. He did not look at her. After the intense passion they’d shared, it was as if she didn’t exist. Jessica’s chest ached. How could he treat her like this? How could he believe her only surviving blood relative was the same Lupine who caused him such agony?

J.J.’s blue gaze flicked to the belt. “What is it?”

“The belt Julius Caesar wore when he tortured me. His real name is Jules.”

Alexa gasped. Jaw tightening, J.J. studied her. “Jessica, where did you get this?”

Right now Jessica knew the Arctic Circle had to be warmer than the atmosphere in this room. She folded her arms across her chest.

She shouldn’t tell them. It wasn’t their business. But she saw the traumatized look on Alexa’s face and her resolve faded. Best friends, forever.

“My long-lost brother sent it to me. His name is Jules.”

“The same Jules who tortured me,” Raphael told them.

J.J. bristled, but Alexa shook her head. “How can you be sure? You’re both acting as if Jess is at fault here. She didn’t know!”

Both males fell silent. Raphael stared at the belt, lying the carpet, curled up like a dead snake. Once it had been so pretty and sparkling. Now it represented pain and cruelty.

“Destroy that belt, Jessica. You know what it represents.” Raphael looked tormented. “Would you have it fill you with so much power you become as cruel as your ancestor?”

She retrieved the belt and the stones glowed warmly, as if welcoming her. Something inside her surged to life. Power.

All her life, she’d been denied power. She’d been the outcast, the one standing on the fringes, and now a life filled with magick was within reach.

“It’s mine.” Jessica put the belt around her waist and faced Raphael.

“Give him the belt, Jess, please. Destroy it. Don’t let it destroy you,” Alexa begged. “Daniel warned you about this.”

“No.”

“Give me the belt, Jessica. It will help me locate your brother. He must be stopped.” Raphael shoved a hand through his dark hair. Shadows flickered in his eyes. “You cried over my scars, and he’s the one who caused them.”

Biting her lip, she backed away. “You could be wrong.”

“You know I am not. Search deep inside and you will know I am right,” he said quietly. “It’s him or me, Jess. You’ll have a life with me, and with him, nothing. He’s using you somehow.”

“You would make me choose? Knowing how much I’ve longed to find my family, how much blood means to me?” Her voice rose to hysterics. “And you told me you would destroy the man who tortured you. You would kill my only surviving family member?!”

He waited.

Backed into a corner.
Choose me or your brother.
She cared deeply for Raphael, but how could she choose him when finding her brother had meant everything? How could she give up a dream of finally meeting her family?

Don’t give up your dream
, a little voice inside her whispered.
You’re so close now. Don’t let Raphael claim his revenge and lose everything you’ve ever wanted.

Miserable and angered at his ultimatum, Jessica shook her head. “I can’t choose you over Jules when I’ve waited for him my entire life.” She glanced at Alexa and J.J., who looked stricken. “I’ll pack my things and be gone later today.”

Jessica did not look back at Raphael as she raced down the hallway.

Chapter 17

Jules had not waited for Jessica to find him. He’d found her instead.

She’d returned to her room to pack, but instead, flung herself on the bed and sobbed. Wishing it could be different, wishing she could have both Raphael and Jules. Finally she sat up, wiped her eyes. Jessica touched the crystals on the belt. Maybe the magick inside could help her wishes come true.

“Please,” she whispered, her chest aching, her eyes swollen. “Please, tell me what to do. I need to find Jules. Please, help me!”

Warmth ringed her waist. Jessica looked down and saw the crystals glowing. She removed the belt. Like before, words formed in the clear crystals.

Jessica read the message, filled with wonder and excitement. Jules was here. He had used the belt to track her down, for it tied them together. And now he waited for her by the rodeo arena and wanted her to bring the belt. Jessica put the belt back on, snagged the truck keys off a peg in the kitchen and drove to the rodeo, her heart filled with joy and nervous tension.

After all these years, she would meet the one surviving member of her family.

She drove to the arena, parked and climbed out of the truck, breathless with excitement.

A man stood by the arena, one hand resting on the red railing. In gray trousers, polished shoes and a black shirt, he looked tall and distinguished. But it was his distinctive red hair, parted down the middle and spilling to his collar that set him apart.